“I have a problem with alcohol”: Pearce sorry for dog act
Disgraced Sydney Roosters co-skipper Mitchell Pearce has admitted he has a problem with alcohol which he needs to address.
Pearce apologised for his actions when he addressed media briefly in the wake of his lewd behaviour at a boozy Australia Day party in which he simulated a sex act with a dog.
“I would like to unreservedly apologise to everyone for my actions over the last three days,” said Pearce, who did not take questions from reporters.
“My behaviour was unacceptable, I’m embarrassed and take full responsibility for my actions.
“I acknowledge that I have a problem with alcohol and it’s something I need to address.
“It’s not an excuse but a realisation that I finally need help.
“Together with the club I’m working on a solution to address these issues and it will come out in the next couple of days.”
It is the second time in two years that the 26-year-old has been in trouble for off-field misdemeanours, and the heat is on to deregister Pearce from the NRL.
A final decision is unlikely to be made in the near future, given both the governing body and the Roosters are without a chief executive.
The fact that fellow NRL club Cronulla are also in a Supreme Court battle, over Todd Carney’s scandalous axing due to the infamous “bubbler” photo, will also ensure due process is fully followed.
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The manager-less Pearce has already apologised to the club and his teammates for behaviour that coach Trent Robinson described as unacceptable.
“The behaviour was unacceptable, we understand that and, at the Roosters, we can’t accept that – we won’t,” Robinson said.
Roosters recruits Jayden Nikorima and Dale Copley were reported to have been present at the party and have since been interviewed by the club.
-AAP
